I am almost finished learning at a driving school and want to buy a new car. My preferences are: 1. City driving 70% and highway is 30% 2. Automatic transmission 3. Safety is the top priority 4. Budget up to 13 lakh 5. Petrol variant 6. The rear seat should comfortably accommodate 3 passengers, and the boot space should be good 7. Planning to keep the car for at least 5 years Since I am new to this, I am seeking suggestions from the experts.

Asked by: Arnab

Considering your needs, the Honda Amaze would be a very good option. It has a smooth petrol engine mated to a CVT gearbox that is perfect for the city. It has received a 5-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP crash tests, has a generous rear seat that is comfy and a big 412-litre boot, which is more than most compact SUVs.

The top-spec ZX CVT variant will comfortably fit in your budget and come with the latest tech and safety features too. Honda cars are also known for their reliability, and the Amaze will easily last five years as long as you adhere to the maintenance schedule and drive it with care.

Honda Amaze

Honda Amaze

Answered by

Autocar India Team

Dec 15, 2025

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Asked by: Varun We are planning to upgrade our car with a budget of around 20 lakh. Our monthly running is 600 to 1,000 km, with 60% city and 40% highway usage. Please suggest suitable cars available in the current market. We can also wait for the upcoming options. Five seats are enough for us. The new Hyundai Creta will do well for you. Given that your driving isn't very high and mostly in the city, we would recommend you look at the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol automatic version. The engine paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is smooth and refined and will provide you with an easy and comfy city drive. And when you do drive on the highways, you will find the performance more than enough, and the ride stable too.

Autocar India Team

Dec 15, 2025

Asked by: Dhaval Patel I have been using automatic cars, a Celerio and a Grand i10, for the past 8 years. Both are good, and the i10 is smoother. I now want to replace the Celerio and buy a new automatic petrol car or an EV within a 20 lakh budget. My monthly usage is around 1,000 km, mostly in the city with rare highway trips. Which is better: an automatic SUV priced around 16 to 20 lakh, or an EV like the Windsor or Nexon within an 18 lakh budget? I also have a home charging facility. My wife will use the car sometimes. Are there any other EV or automatic options available in this range? If you are looking for a petrol SUV, the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta are the best options in the Rs 16-20 lakh price range. Both are very good all-rounders with spacious and well-equipped interiors, and they are also very refined and easy to drive in the city.Since you have two petrol cars, a home charging possibility and drive mostly in the city, we would recommend you go with an electric car. They are perfect for the city as they are easy, smooth and silent to drive.Between the MG Windsor and the Tata Nexon EV, we would lean towards the Windsor as it offers you a degree of better comfort over the Nexon and is well-equipped too.

Autocar India Team

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Asked by: Sraddha suman I recently bought an XUV700 AX7 Ebony Edition diesel automatic for my family because it offers great value for money and has a tech-oriented, spacious interior. I already own a Fortuner, Thar, and Harrier. Did I make a good decision by buying the XUV700? I chose it because it is fun to drive and has unbeatable power. Was it a good decision? The Mahindra XUV700 is a good choice. It is a well-rounded SUV that offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, and the diesel engine is punchy and fun to drive. The XUV700 is also feature-loaded and gets a long list of equipment, and the tech on offer is quite impressive.The only bit to consider is that a facelift is right around the corner, and you might feel shortchanged. However, the car will likely be pricier, and since it isn’t an all-new generation, the current XUV700 remains a very well-rounded option.

Autocar India Team

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Asked by: Manoj I own a pre-owned Gen 3 Honda City that has completed around 1,00,000 kilometres. My annual usage is only about 5,000 kilometres since I use a smaller car for city driving. The vehicle has no mechanical issues, except for its low ground clearance. Could you advise when it would be the right time to upgrade? I am currently considering the Hyundai Alcazar as a possible option. The future of the Hyundai Alcazar is uncertain, and Hyundai may not continue with the model, which could impact its resale value. Instead, in our opinion, you could consider the Honda Elevate. It’s a solid offering from Honda: spacious, well-built, and powered by the proven 121 hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine. You already know Honda’s service standards, and your current Honda has served you well.As for whether you should buy a new car now, 1 lakh kilometer is a reasonable milestone to think about an upgrade. But if your current car isn’t giving you any trouble, you can comfortably keep it for another 20,000km to 30,000 km.

Autocar India Team

Dec 15, 2025

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